Week 6 - Tutorial Task - Politics Online

What opportunities can you find for political participation via the internet. How many of the following can you achieve while sticking to your political beliefs?

Sign an e-petition.
I signed a petition for the Mackay to Gold Coast plains to begin to operate instead of just to Brisbane. This petition was found at; http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/mkyoolflight

Respond to a professional blogger at a major news site.
I put a response to Mayor Tom Tates blog requesting that he be sure not to use his Mayoral power to improve his own personal business prospects... eg.... the Islander being right next door to a new casino..

What is Barak Obama up to today? Can you send him a message about the importance of freedom on the  internet?
I went directly to Barak Obama's twitter page in order to see what he was up to today but most of it was links to his campaign and his store where he sells items to raise funds for his campaign and has a little to say about Mr Romney.

What are the Australian Government's plans to censor the internet (the so-called "Clean Feed")?
The govenments clean feed filter is an attempt to filter out sites that don't have a registerd URL though the Internet Service Prociders. This process is intended to reduce the potential of illegal sites, especially those with child abuse content. Some of the problems with this is that filtering the internet is no easy process and the governments ability and right to filter content could be difficult. The filtering can be bypassed, torrent file sharing would not be able to filter it and more.

What place does censorship have in a democracy?
Censorship is a delicate issue. Freedom of speech and the freedom of the people to see and do how they please is at the heart of democracy. There is sometimes a fine line between freedom and bondage. The freedom to not censor certain things could lead people to find the freedom to harm others. The freedom to not censor things from children could lead them to not developing properly. There is a difficult balance here, one that I don't pretend to have a definitive answer for.

When will the NBN get to your place? What are the benefits?
According to the NBN website for the southport/labrador area December 2013 is the start date of putting it in and the last work in scheduled for June 2015. The main benefit of the NBN is the fast speeds that are stated to be 100 times faster than the current average speeds (NBN, 2012).

Find out who your local, state and federal representatives are. Send one a message.
Local representative is councillor grummit for the local government. Verity Barton is my state representative for the state government and then Stuart Robert. These people represent me.... Supposedly...  I emailed Verity Barton and frank asked her what she has been doing for Broadwater lately. Her predecessor Peta Kaye Croft was a really involved member and contributed to our Church and Youth Community and I am genuinely intrigued to see what exactly this member is planning for the area.

Look up the Queensland or Australian Hansard to find the last time your local member spoke in parliament.
29/5/2012.... Her Maiden speech was don on this date but I have seen nothing since then..... Not apparently the most active politician.

Let your local member know what you think about their last speech.
Not an easy thing to do when you don't want to be mean but want to be truthful.....

Week 6 - Lecture Content - Democracy?

This weeks lecture content went through ideas about democracy, cyber politics, edemocracy and liberal democracy and its different forms. The part that I found most intriguing was the discussion on democracy and how it is currently seen as the 'end point' of of political evolution, a statement I find hard to agree with.

I am currently completing my fourth year of my Urban and Environmental Planning Degree and one of my current courses is called 'Public Involvement and Community Development' and consequently I have been exposed to a substantial amount of academic journals on the topic and on neoliberal thought. I appears evident from many of my prescribed academic articles that there is beginning to be a push away from top down management to community empowerment (Ansell & Gash, 2008). Collaborative governance where people get to directly be involved in decision making is becoming a reality due to the possibilities created by the internet and new developments in communication technology. More and more it appears that people can have a voice, millions of people can communicate in a single space and be involved in matters that are physically located thousands of kilometers away from them.

Is there really no greater form of political representation that representative democracy? I find myself highly critical.

The problems with representative democracy can be rattled off by anyone with something to say on politics. Corruption, lies, dishonesty, media manipulation and more. Regardless of how much better than hereditary monarchy, constitutional monarch or other forms of governance democracy is, there is still room for improvement and the possibility of mass referendum style voting on political issues can really bring the power into the hands of the people more and more. Many of the elements of democracy are irreplaceable but there are certainly areas where people having more power before and after election periods that should be improved. Hoven (2005) stated that;

There are many optimistic views on the way the Internet may revitalize and reinvigorate our democracies. Many internet-supported democratic experiments have been undertaken in the last 10 years and the experimentation continues (p. 51)

I found this article by Hoven interesting and agree that there is certainly space for eDemocracy to improve the democratic processes in the western world.

Ansell, C. & Gash, A. (2008). Collaborative governance in theory and politics. Journal of Public Administration 

        Research & Theory, 18; 543-71.

Hoven, J. (2005). E-democracy, E-contestation and the monitorial citizen. Ethics and Information Technology, 

        7:51-59. 

Week 4 Tutorial Task - Timeline

Cyberpunk Timeline

Below is my Timeline of some of the key moments in the development of the cyber punk movement;

http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/the-history-of-cyberpunk--5

Time toast was a really simple and easy to use program that allowed you to very simply insert dates into a timeline of whatever distance you like. One thing I found irritating though was the fact that if you weren't exactly sure of the specific date of an outcome you couldn't just put it in generally, it required a specific date, therefore for the dates I wasn't sure of I felt forced to 'make up' a date because only the months were available...

Week 5 - Tutorial Task

Task 1. Create a Survey - 

The survey I created through Survey Monkey was created to find out peoples perceptions about Social Media through a set of different questions.

To see and fill out the survey follow this link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8DCQXRD

After Some people have filled out my survey I will post some findings from my Survey.

Week 5 Readings - Social Media

This weeks readings were on social media and I particularly enjoyed the news article reading on Facebook. I am personally a pretty committed user to Facebook simply because I was sucked in..... In order to stay 'connected' I decided to join and since then, I've used it exactly for that. Certain tasks like sharing funny videos with a few friends I know would enjoy them and writing messages to people I don't often see.

The reading really went through some of the weakness of facebook and google and how their overbearing invasion of privacy has the potential to scare people off. I find this point really relevant because I really get frustrated by the level of dishonesty for these corporations, selling details, saving information for marketing and taking more information than is necessary for subscriptions. One of the readings also outlined how facebook has limitless rights to your content once you upload it to your site. These facts are particularly frustrating and makes me want to escape from the grip of these companies if there arose a convenient alternative. Its strange how these companies can make you feel like you 'NEED' something you never really needed before.

One of the articles stated that people will eventually grow tired of these companies, they just need something NEW and EXCITING to come around the corner. People will always want something new and fresh, now matter how many times facebook gives itself a face-lift eventually people will want to move on to a newer, younger and more exciting thing.

Week 3 Task 2 - MySpace.... What's MySpace?

MySpace.... Whats MySpace?

Myspace was a craze that disappeared as fast as it appeared, its rise to fame was unprecedented but now the site remains comparatively unused. Like fashion, internet sites can become fashionable and in the next season become entirely 'uncool'. This technology was heralded as a means of creating better friendships but this is highly challenged in the academic world and some seem to think that this creates divides between people (Thelwall, 2009). In 2007, 55% of all  American youths that were aged between 12 and 17 had profiles on soicial networking sites like MySpace (The MySpace culture, 2007). After only a short time now Myspace is "lagging behind Facebook and Bebo" (Ramsay, 2009). In 2006 Myspace was the most viewed site on the internet, and even got higher visits than sites like Google and Yahoo (Ramsay, 2009). But despite its best efforts to maintain its popularity Myspace has fallen down into the hallows of the past.

Although MySpace was not the first social networking site it was undoubtebly the one that put social networking on the map. After this came the epic rise of Facebook which has now dominated the market and boast tremendous annual profits. MySpace changed the online world and influenced the way that people engage each other on the internet, especially young people. Although its influence on the online world is undisputed the reality is now that the MySpace is commonly perceived as the 'neanderthal of social networks' (Ramsay, 2009).

One of the main reasons why MySpace has 'fallen from grace' is because it "assumed it had won the race, focused on ad sales and forgot about the audience' (Ramsay, 2009). For anyone that is up to date with Social Networking they know that MySpace has seen its last day, the only question is 'how long can Facebook last'. Those who think that Facebook will be timeless will be surprised, as surprised as the team working for MySpace were when the death knell sounded.






References

Thelwall, M. (2009). Homophily in MySpace. J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci., 60: 219–231. doi: 10.1002/asi.20978

 The MySpace culture. (2007). Voices from the Middle, 15(2), 59-60. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/213930584?accountid=14543
Ramsay, F. (2009). MySpace. Marketing, , 17-17. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/214939128?accountid=14543

Week 4 Readings and Lecture

 Cyberspace and CYBERPUNK!

This weeks Readings and Lecture content went into the realm of 'Cyberspace' and outlined some of the developments that the world has taken in the modern age and how this plays out in everyday life. The reading by Lister et al (2009) went through some of the ways that cyberspace and technology have integrated into our every day life.

I really enjoyed the part of the lecture that outlined Cyber Punk; an idea that seems to tear off the gloss from the idea that technology will create a moral, utopian society, but rather shows a dark, morrally corupt and cold future where people are no better off at all because of technology.

An article by Starrs and Huntsinger (1995) outlined cyberpunk well;

The broad cyberpunk literary "movement," as it is often described, blends fast-paced and imaginative writing with a pungent if admiring wariness for computers. Rather more importantly, "cyberpunk" takes an often-savage delight in roaming the information networks that especially personal computers make possible. Altogether gone is the bland worship of technology that once defined science fiction; no part survives in Cyberpunk (p.51).

This journal article was a really succint outline of cyberpunk and helped me come to terms with what exactly is meant by the term.

I found the concept interesting because I myself find the idea that technology will solve all our issues a very idealistic one. If I had to bet a dollar I would put it down on the more Cyberpunk style future than I would on the utopian future commonly propogated. With a reduction in resources, climate change, heavy pollution and an unmistakable trend toward self fulfillment over the common good I cant see how our future will become bright unless substantial change occurs. Even basic economic principles like the 'tradgedy of the commons' recognise that people will exploit common resources for their self interest rather than seek the common good. Everybody seems to want to get a piece of the action rather than think about those around them first.

The New Testament philosophy 'love your neighbour as you love yourself' seems more paramount in importance today than ever before in our shrinking world. It appears that it will take everyone working together for the benefit of all for us to achieve anything resembling a utopian technologically advanced civilistion. If all our hope is in political reform to achieve this I cant help but feel troubled, because as anyone can testify the goal of politics and particularly politicians is still generally selfish.... To achieve their goal, to gain election and be popular with the people. It appears that the interests of our common good are really always put to the back and each individual pursues their own desires.

This idea, this looming reality is reflected in many movies, Irobot is a great example where artificial intelligences recognise that humans are self destructive and seek to take control in order to maintain our livelihood. It's funny that when we think about this its for our good but as humans regardless whether or not its good for us doesn't matter if it takes away our freedom. Our freedom to forge our own way is at the base who people are but this both defines us as a race and poses our greatest threat.


Starrs, P. F., & Huntsinger, L. (1995). The matrix, cyberpunk literature, and the apocalyptic landscapes of information technology.Information Technology and Libraries, 14(4), 251-251. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/215832977?accountid=14543

Week 2 - Communicating (Video and Writing)

Communication methods are evolving exponentially and its not always easy to keep up!

In the last two decades how I have communicated has changed dramatically, from writing letters to my grandparents to using a phone, to using a mobile, to sending text messages, to using msn messenger and emails, to using myspace and facebook, to video calling and skype..... My communcatin methods keep changing with time but the substance of my communication is still the same, I try to communicate meaning to people through whatever medium is available. Though the methods have changed nothings has really changed about what is actually accomplished. People are interacted with and relationships are built, sustained and sometimes ever harmed.

Communication is essential to human life, I know this undeoubtebly and I would be happy to debate with anyone that we as humans are made to live within community with eachother, we do not functions to our fullest when we are alone. I really enjoy the changing shape of communication but I also want to be weary, sometimes knowing that people are at the tip of your fingertips keeps you distant from from in a strange sense. Some people I would interact with a lot if seen in person seem to be ignored by me because they are always there.... Not seeing a friend for years seems strange because everything important that has happened in between is still known to me....

A desire to communicate is what is important, it doesn't matter how easy or accessible communication methods are if people do not have the motivation to communicate with others they wont, no matter how easy the methods are.

Week 2 Lecture - Are We Communication? ....

Week 2 Lecture Content



The lecture in week one went through a whole host of ideas, so much so that its hard to recount all the ideas some of the important ideas covered include; 

• How humans have always communicated and various methods of similarity found between primates and people
  
• The development of electromechanical communication and its different forms and functions eg. the telegraph, telephone, phonograph, radio, cinema, tv, computer etc 
   
• Complications with communication can occur due to inter-subjectivity and intertextuality

 A very simple definition of communication contained in the lecture notes is;

Communication is any process that transfers, transmits or makes information known to other people 

1940s Frankfurt School'

An interesting quote from the lecture notes really ties well into my other blog on the readings about Mind Control and the Internet,..... if only this guy could see where we are now he would definitely roll over in his grave;..... 

"Real life is becoming indistinguishable from the movies. The sound film, far surpassing the theatre of illusion, leaves no room for imagination or reflection on the part of the audience, who is unable to respond within the structure of the film, yet [who is also unable to] deviate from its precise detail without losing the thread of the story; hence the film forces its victims to equate it directly with reality". (Adorno, T & Horkheimer, M Dialectic of Enlightenment Verso London 1979 p126).

This quote shows how shocked this man is at the development of film and how it makes real life nearly indistinguishable. It makes me wonder what he would think if we told him that in our time we would have in our pockets a device that was a television, phone, unlimited source of information, flashlight, guitar tuner, alarm, video recorder, camera, cook book, map that shows where you are spatially in the world using satellites and much much more.... And not to mention most middle class 13 year old girls in the western world have one.... I would love to see his reaction.

The lecture content was informative and gave a good background and foundation to where communication technology has come from. A good understanding of where something is going is best understood when you know where it came from and communication technology is no different, background information is important to ascertaining why it is we have developed in the past and give creed to theories about where we are going now. 

 

Week 3 Readings - CYBORG!

 CYBORG

This week I really enjoyed the reading on Mind Control and the Internet by Sue Halpern. 

The article outlined how technology has progressed over time and how it now has the possibility of improving human function. If electronics can be integrated into the human form, it appears that we can be enhanced and improved. The readings outlined how universities have discovered that computers can be controlled using signals directly from the brain...... A scary thought. It seems exciting to be able to direct our thoughts to a computer, but not so exciting if a computer becomes able to direct its processing to our thoughts. It seems difficult to discern where people will draw the line. Having a computer in your mind is not something I would want to herald in without caution... Or at all.

I was genuinely surprised to find a whole host of academic lierature that talk about cybernetics and cyborg health. One of the peer review academic acticles by Klugman (2001) outlined the principles very succinctly, he stated

Cybernetic components serve one of two main purposes-to replace body parts and abilities or to enhance human capacities. In replacement cyborgs, the machine returns the individual to something approaching former functioning. For example, implanted telescopes permit some vision to those nearly blinded from macular degeneration. 17 Enhanced cyborgs, however, do more than recapture lost function; the cybernetic implant allows an individual to do things that were not possible before. For instance, if the implanted telescope enables a person to see the stars or to see in the infrared, then he or she would be an enhanced cyborg. This distinction between replacement and enhancement is more a spectrum than a hard border. The enhanced telescope would both replace lost visual acuity and confer new superhuman abilities (p. 49)

This outline is an interesting look at what cyborgs are defined as and how they can take many forms. The same article had a very simple table to show what different cyborg types there are; transplant bodies, super bodies, disembodied minds and linked body... I was highly surprised to see how in depth Cyborg theory was.

The article  from the lecture content talked about how a man was able to hear after having an implant in his ear sending signals directly to his brain. This type of enhancement seems promising, but if I look at things critically, there seems to be a fine line between freedom and imprisonment here, when does a computer having the ability to discern what you hear  or think for you become control? Are these developments really bringing us toward freedom or manipulation......

This article really stands out when compared to the article by Melanie Swalwell on the Usefulness of Computers in the 80's. Its interesting to not that when computers first became available to the common individual in the 80's the biggest problem was discerning its usefulness..... That idea has evolved phenomenally in the last 40 years to the point now where we have to begin to decide where we put the limitations on the 'usefulness' of our computers.


 Klugman, C. M. (2001). From cyborg fiction to medical reality. Literature and Medicine, 20(1), 39-54. 
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